THE Civic Hall and its adjoining library could be torn down in a radical plan to save the existing library service on the site.

In its place, developers want to construct a “UK headquarters and resource centre” and a “small mixed-use housing development” with car parking spaces.

The proposal was revealed as Sefton council disclosed the responses to its controversial library closure consultation.

Should the Civic Hall be razed a replacement community library would be built within the new complex and would be the same size as the current facility. The developers – who have not been named – approached the council after it announced it could no longer fund the maintenance and running of the venue.

The proposals were listed in a document discussing public consultations held over plans to shut seven Sefton libraries – including Crosby, Aintree and Litherland.

Council officer Steve Deakin states in the report, which will be discussed by cabinet at Southport Town Hall this morning (10am start): “The proposal would be at a net zero cost to the council and provide a new library facility of an equivalent size to the existing library at a peppercorn rent.”

The Civic Hall was last month handed a lifeline after volunteer arts group Crosby Cultural Quarter was handed the keys to the site under a four-month pilot scheme.

Former councillor Debi Jones, a member of the arts group, was surprised to learn of the proposal.

Ms Jones said: “We would naturally be extremely disappointed if the council chooses to sell this plot of land which includes the Civic Hall. We have had a tremendous level of public support and bookings. It is a valuable facility for the whole community.”

Council officers are set to hold further discussions with the developer to see if the plans are viable.

The report also tells how a commercial library provider has stepped forward with a view to running some of the at-risk facilities and talks are continuing. Looking to slash £50.8m from the town hall budget over the next two years, politicians have earmarked the library service for a £400,000 annual funding cut.

But fans of our local library network are clearly not willing to lose their services without a fight.

More than 20,000 people backed a series of campaigns against the closure of borough libraries – 17,187 signed petitions while 3,026 completed the library consultation.

Of the petitioners 1,366 supported the retention of libraries in Crosby and Litherland.

One of three petitions solely supporting the College Road library demanded it stay open, stating: “The library is well used and would be particularly missed by the elderly, children and families in Crosby, Waterloo and Blundellsands.”

Consultation responses also highlight the depth of support for the libraries, with 484 responses coming from Crosby and 223 from Waterloo, ranking them second and fifth respectively in terms of responses by area.

Hundreds of book lovers stated they would no longer use libraries – or “mitigating services” – if their local site closed.

And with a host of people telling the council they thought libraries were “the hub of the community and bring social and health benefits”, there is little doubt users feel closing services would severely impact on local life.

Cabinet is recommended to acknowledge the consultation responses and instruct council officers to develop a “strategic plan” to be presented to full council on February 28.

What do you think about plans to redevelop the Crosby Civic Hall and Crosby Library site?